Lot 1371. A fine pair of small blue and white wine cups, Yongzheng six-character marks in underglaze blue within a double circle and of the period (1723-1735); ¾ in. (7.1 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 40,000 - USD 60,000. Price realised USD 50,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2010.

Each cup thinly potted with flaring sides, painted on the exterior in soft blue tones in Chenghua-style with six flower-heads issuing from a continuous leafy stem, the interior with an enclosed radiating spear-head medallion below five sylized lotus flowers.

Note: An identical bowl in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, included in the exhibition, Capolavori Dalla Città: Qianlong e La Sua Corte, Museo del Corso, Rome, 20 November 2007 - 20 March 2008, p. 121, no. 56. See, also, a similar pair of cups in doucai decoration illustrated in Elegant Form and Harmonious Decoration: Four Dynasties of Jingdezhen Porcelain, Rosemary E. Scott, London, 1992, p. 129, no. 143.